Virtual machine aware fibre channel

ABSTRACT

A Hypervisor hosted on a computer device includes a Fiber Channel (FC) port to communicate with an FC switch in an FC switched fabric. The FC port has a port identifier assigned by the switch device. The Hypervisor solicits from the switch FC priority values available to be allocated as respective local identifiers of virtual machines (VMs). The Hypervisor instantiates a VM with a global VM identifier, and allocates one of the solicited priority values to the instantiated VM such that the allocated priority value and the port identifier together represent a fabric VM identifier. After the allocating, the Hypervisor sends to the FC switch an update frame to indicate the instantiated VM, the global VM identifier, and the fabric VM identifier. During an FC session, the Hypervisor exchanges FC frames with an FC destination port connected to the switched fabric. Each session frame indicates the fabric VM identifier.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to virtual machines in Fibre Channelenvironments.

BACKGROUND

One virtualization model for Fibre Channel is referred to as a FibreChannel-unaware virtual machine (VM) model. In this model, the FibreChannel protocol is terminated within a Hypervisor and a VM instantiatedon such Hypervisor is unaware that it is using Fibre Channel to accessstorage. For example, the Hypervisor may present to the VM a virtualizedgeneric Small Computer System Interface (SCSI). In this model, theHypervisor has visibility and control of input/output operations of theVM; however other important actors in a Storage Area Network (SAN) donot have such visibility. Such other actors include storage devicesconnected to a switched Fibre Channel fabric and the Fibre Channelswitches composing the switched fabric. The other actors have no way toidentify Fibre Channel traffic associated with a specific VM and arethus unable to assert VM specific access controls, and the like, whichis disadvantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a virtual machine (VM) aware Fibre Channel(FC) environment, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a FC frame header that includes a varietyof fields including a priority field used for local VM identifiers,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of priority values that may be used orallocated as local VM identifiers in the priority field of the FC frameheader of FIG. 2, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of priority values that may be used orallocated as local VM identifiers in the priority field, according toanother example embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of priority values that may be used orallocated as local VM identifiers in the priority field, according toyet another example embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of priority values that may be used orallocated as local VM identifiers in the priority field, according to aneven further example embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example mapping database having mappingentries to map global VM identifiers to fabric VM identifiers(represented as {port identifier, priority value} pairs), according toan example embodiment.

FIG. 8A is an illustration of an Update VM Mappings (UVMM) Extended LinkService (ELS) Request sent by Hypervisors to a switched fabric in theenvironment of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8B is an illustration of a UVMM Link Service Accept (LS_ACC) ELScorresponding to the UVMM ELS of FIG. 8A and that sent from the switchedfabric to the Hypervisors responsive to the UVMM ELS in the environmentof FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8C is an illustration of a Query Fabric Priority Allocation (QFPA)ELS Request sent by Hypervisors to the switched fabric in theenvironment of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8D is an illustration of a QFPA LS_ACC ELS corresponding to theQFPA ELS of FIG. 8C and that sent from the switched fabric to theHypervisors responsive to the QFPA ELS in the environment of FIG. 1,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a scenario in which FC fabric login (FLOGI)and port login (PLOGI) procedures are performed by a first Hypervisor inthe environment of FIG. 1, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a scenario performed in the environment ofFIG. 1 in which the first Hypervisor queries the switched fabric forpriority values to be used as local VM identifiers after the FOGI andPLOGI procedures of FIG. 9 have been completed, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a scenario in which the first Hypervisorinstantiates a first VM in response to commands from a managemententity, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a scenario in which the instantiated firstVM has established an FC (communication) session with a storage device,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an illustration of a scenario in which a second VM isinstantiated on the first Hypervisor, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 14 is an illustration of a scenario in which the second VM hasestablished an FC (communication) session with the storage device,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 15 is an illustration of a scenario in which additional VMs havebeen instantiated across the first Hypervisor and a second Hypervisor,according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of an example scenario in which a VM isde-instantiated from the first Hypervisor in a move of the VM to thesecond Hypervisor, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an illustration of a scenario in which the VM that wasde-instantiated from the first Hypervisor in the scenario of FIG. 16 isinstantiated on the second Hypervisor, according to an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a VM aware FC method performed at aHypervisor, according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a VM aware FC method complementary to themethod of FIG. 18 and that is performed at a fabric switch, according toan example embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a computer device or system to implementembodiments presented herein.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Overview

A Hypervisor hosted on a computer device is configured with a FibreChannel port to communicate with a Fibre Channel switch device in aFibre Channel switched fabric. The Fibre Channel port has a portidentifier assigned by the switch device. The Hypervisor identifiesitself and each virtual machine (VM) instantiated on the Hypervisor witha unique global identifier (e.g., a Universally Unique Identifier(UUID)). At the Hypervisor, Fibre Channel priority values available tobe allocated as respective local identifiers of VMs are queried from theswitch device. A VM identified with a global VM identifier isinstantiated on the Hypervisor. One of the queried priority values isallocated to the instantiated VM to identify the VM locally to theHypervisor. Together, the allocated priority value and the Hypervisor'sport identifier represent a fabric VM identifier. After the allocation,an update frame is sent to the switch device including the global VMidentifier and the fabric VM identifier (represented by the {portidentifier, priority value} pair) to indicate an association between theglobal VM identifier and the fabric VM identifier. During a FibreChannel session, Fibre Channel frames are exchanged with a Fibre Channeldestination port connected to the switched fabric. Each of the FibreChannel frames can be specifically associated to the VM through thefabric VM identifier (i.e., the port identifier identifying theHypervisor and the priority value identifying the VM on thatHypervisor).

Example Embodiments

With reference to FIG. 1, there is a block diagram of an example virtualmachine aware Fibre Channel (FC) environment 100 in which virtualmachine aware FC embodiments presented herein may be implemented.Environment 100 includes an FC switched fabric 104 includinginterconnected FC switch devices 106(1) and 106(2) (referred to as“fabric switches”), distributed computer servers A-C (also referred toas “servers”), a memory storage resource or device 110, and a managemententity 114 referred to as “VM Control” through which a user and/or anautomation tool manages deployment of virtual machines (VMs) inenvironment 100. Servers A and B communicate with fabric switch 106(1)over respective FC connections or links 120(1) and 120(2), server Ccommunicates with fabric switch 106(2) over an FC connection 120(3), andstorage device 110 communicates with switched fabric 104 over FCconnection 120(4). Switch fabric 104 provides a Directory Service (DS)130 implemented as a distributed service across its switches and thatmanages/maintains various databases accessible to fabric switches 106.Directory Service 130 includes a VM Identification server to assist withmanaging the virtualization specific database, as will be describedbelow. Environment 100 is depicted in FIG. 1 by way of example only andmay include more or less servers, fabric switches, and storage devicesthan those shown.

In the example of FIG. 1, servers A-C are configured and operatesimilarly to each other. Therefore, the ensuing description of server Ashall suffice for similarly configured servers B and C. Server Aincludes a respective host bus adapter A (HBA A) to support FCconnection 120(1) between the server and fabric switch 106(1). Inaddition, server A hosts a respective Hypervisor, Hypervisor A, to hostor support multiple VMs VM1-VM4 instantiated on the Hypervisor. The term“instantiated” may be used synonymously and interchangeably with theterm “installed,” “deployed,” “executed,” and “provisioned.”

Hypervisor A is configured with or implements and presents a virtualizedSmall Computer System Interface (SCSI) to each of VMs VM1-VM4, andaccesses an FC N_Port PA having one or more global or world wideN_Port_Names associated therewith, and an N_Port identifier (N_Port_ID)1.1.1 assigned thereto by switched fabric 104 during an FC fabric login(FLOGI) procedure or transaction, as it is known. Storage device 110also includes an N_Port (not explicitly shown in FIG. 1) having anN_Port_ID 3.3.3 assigned thereto by switched fabric 104 during a FLOGIprocedure. Hypervisor N_Port PA communicates with each of thevirtualized SCSI interfaces, and also with fabric switch 106(1) over FCconnection 120(1), and thus enables VMs VM1-VM4 to communicate withswitched fabric 104 via the respective virtualized SCSI interfaces,N_Port PA, and FC connection 120(1).

Similar to server A, servers B and C host respective Hypervisors,Hypervisor B and Hypervisor C, which in turn have instantiated thereonrespective sets of virtual machines VM5-VM8 and VM9-VM12. Hypervisors Band C access respective FC N_Ports, N_Ports PB and PC, having respectiveglobal N_Port_Names associated therewith and respective N_Port_IDs 1.2.1and 2.1.1 assigned thereto by switched fabric 104 during respectiveFLOGI procedures. Hypervisors A-C exchange FC data frames and FC controlframes with switched fabric 104 via respective Hypervisor N_Ports PA-PC.Such FC frames may be exchanged between Hypervisors A-C and switchedfabric 104 on behalf of the VMs VM1-VM12, for example, when the VMscommunicate with storage device 110. FIG. 1 shows environment 100 at atime/state when VMs VM1-VM12 are hosted across Hypervisors A-C. More orless VMs may be hosted across Hypervisors A-C at any given time as VMsbecome instantiated on or de-instantiated from the Hypervisors.

Management entity 114 controls the deployment of VMs across HypervisorsA-C. To do this, management entity 114 may issue commands to (i)instantiate a VM on a given Hypervisor, which results in theinstantiation of the VM on that Hypervisor, (ii) remove orde-instantiate a VM from the given Hypervisor on which the VM wasalready instantiated, which results in a de-instantiation of the VM fromthe given Hypervisor, and (iii) move the instantiated VM from the givenHypervisor to a destination Hypervisor, which results inde-instantiation of the VM from the given Hypervisor and instantiationof the moved VM on the destination Hypervisor.

As mentioned above, Hypervisors A-C exchange FC frames with FC switchedfabric 104 on behalf of respective groups of VMs VM1-VM4, VM5-VM8, andVM9-VM12. Each of the exchanged FC frames includes an FC frame header.The FC frame header includes a variety of control fields, and a payloadfor other information. According to embodiments presented herein, apriority field of the FC frame header of each FC frame exchanged onbehalf of a given VM is populated with a priority value that identifiesthe VM locally to a Hypervisor on which the VM is instantiated. In otherwords, the priority value serves as a VM ID locally to the Hypervisor.Thus, in the ensuing description, the “priority value” is referred tosynonymously and interchangeably as the “local VM ID”. Together with theHypervisor port identifier (N_Port_ID), the priority value (i.e., localVM ID) in an FC frame identifies the VM associated with the FC frame tofabric switches 106 in switched fabric 104 that route the FC framethrough the switched fabric to and from destination devices, such asstorage device 110. The local VM ID and Hypervisor N_Port_ID alsoidentify that VM to storage device 110. The VM associated with the FCframe may be a source VM that originates information included in the FCframe or a destination VM that is a destination of the informationincluded in the FC frame. Accordingly, the local VM ID in the FC frameassociates the FC frame with the VM that is the source or thedestination of the FC frame and thus renders switched fabric 104 andstorage device “aware” of that association. Hence, environment 100 isreferred to as a “VM aware Fibre Channel environment.”

The local VM ID may also indicate a priority level associated with theFC frame, such as a Quality-of-Service (QoS) priority level associatedwith a FC session during which the FC frame is being exchanged. FCswitches 106 in FC switched fabric 104 that route the FC frame, andstorage device 110 may handle the FC frame in accordance with the QoSpriority level indicated by or associated with the local VM ID.

VM aware FC environment 100 uses, in various VM aware FC environmentscenarios described below, new features, including new Extended LinkServices (ELSs) or Common Transport Commands (i.e., control planemessages), and a new mapping database. First, the new features will bedescribed in connection with FIGS. 2-8. Then, the various scenarios thatuse those features will be described in connection with FIGS. 9-17.

With reference to FIG. 2, there is an illustration of an example FCframe header 200 that includes a variety of fields defined according toknown FC standards, extended or modified according to the embodimentspresented herein. In accordance with those embodiments, aCS_CTL/Priority field (also referred to more simply as “Priority”) ispopulated with a priority value that represents a local VM ID (or VMtag) having characteristics and uses described more fully below. The FCframe header 200 also includes a D_ID field populated with an N_Port_IDof an N_Port that is a destination of the FC frame, and an S_ID fieldpopulated with an N_Port_ID of an N_Port that is a source or originatorof the FC frame. The triplet of IDs D_ID, S_ID, and Priority in FC frameheader 200 uniquely identifies FC frames or traffic associated with aspecific VM, e.g., one of VMs VM1-VM12. Using the priority value (i.e.,local VM ID), storage device 110 and switched fabric 104 are able toassociate the traffic with the specific VM and enforce appropriateaccess controls, including VM zoning across Hypervisors. FC header 200also include the following fields defined according to known FCstandards: routing control R_CTL, frame control F_CTL, data structuretype Type, sequence ID SEQ_ID, optional header in data field DF_CTL,sequence count SEQ_CNT, originator exchange ID OX_ID, and responderexchange ID RX_ID, and frame type dependent parameters.

With reference to FIG. 3, there is an illustration of a table 300 ofpriority values that may be used or allocated as local VM IDs in thePriority field of FC frame header 200, according to an embodiment. Eachrow of Table 300 lists (i) one or more priority values (e.g., 0 or 1 . .. 127) in a left column labeled Priority Value, (ii) a QoS prioritylevel associated with the priority values for that row in a middlecolumn labeled QoS Priority, and (iii) an indicator as to whether thepriority values may or may not be used as local VM IDs in a rightcolumn. Given that multiple (different) priority values maycorresponding to a same QoS priority level, each of the multiplepriority values may serve as an ID of a different VM.

With reference to FIG. 4, there is an illustration of a table 400 ofranges of priority value ranges that may be used or allocated aspriority values (i.e., local VM IDs) in the Priority field of FC frameheader 200, according to another embodiment. In table 400, priorityvalues in the third row may serve as local VM identifiers that all havea same QoS priority level, (e.g., High).

With reference to FIG. 5, there is an illustration of a table 500 ofpriority values that may be used or allocated as local VM IDs in thePriority field of FC frame header 200, according to yet anotherembodiment.

With reference to FIG. 6, there is an illustration of a table 600 ofpriority values that may be used or allocated as local VM IDs in thePriority field of FC frame header 200, according to yet anotherembodiment.

Returning to FIG. 1, Directory Service 130 includes the VMIdentification server to support the use of fabric VM IDs in environment100. According to the embodiments presented herein, the VMIdentification server maintains a mapping database (described below inconnection with FIG. 7) having VM mapping entries each to map a uniqueglobal ID of a VM (also referred to herein as a “global VM ID”)instantiated on a Hypervisor to (i) an N_Port_ID for an N_Port of thatHypervisor, and (ii) a priority value (i.e., local VM ID) that isallocated by the Hypervisor. In one example, the global VM ID may be aUniversally Unique ID (UUID), such as a 16-byte UUID. Together, theN_Port_ID and the priority value (i.e., the local VM ID) identify aninstantiated VM to switched fabric 104 and thus represent a “fabric VMID” of the VM. Thus, each entry in the mapping database maps a global VMID to a fabric VM ID (represented as a {N_Port_ID, local VM ID (i.e.,priority value)} pair).

With reference to FIG. 7, there is an illustration of an example mappingdatabase 700 having mapping entries corresponding to rows of the mappingdatabase. As mentioned above, each mapping entry or row maps a global VMID (e.g., UUID) to the fabric VM ID, (i.e., the Hypervisor N_Port_ID andthe local VM ID (i.e., priority value) of a VM instantiated on theHypervisor).

The embodiments presented herein also introduce new FC ELSs (i.e., FCcontrol plane messages) to support the use and maintenance of the fabricVM IDs in environment 100. The new ELSs include an Update VM Mappings(UVMM) ELS and a Query Fabric Priority Allocation (QFPA) ELS. The UVMMELS and QFPA ELS each have an associated Link Service Accept ELSreferred to as an LS_ACC ELS. A given Hypervisor of Hypervisors A-Csends an appropriate UVMM ELS to switched fabric 104 and storage device110 whenever a VM is instantiated on, de-instantiated from, or movedfrom the Hypervisor. The UVMM ELS indicates the local VM ID allocated tothe VM by the given Hypervisor and that is subject to the instantiation,de-instantiation, or move action. Switch fabric 104 updates mappingdatabase 700 based on the UVMM ELS to that the mapping databaseaccurately reflects the impact of the instantiation, de-instantiation,or move action on the local VM ID indicated in the UVMM.

A given one of Hypervisors A-C sends a QFPA ELS to switched fabric 104to query a list of priority values available to be allocated as local VMIDs of virtual machines (VMs) instantiated (or to be instantiated) onthe Hypervisor. Switch fabric 104 sends the queried list to therequesting Hypervisor in an Accept (LS_ACC) of the QFPA ELS.

With reference to FIGS. 8A-8D there are illustrations of examples of thenew ELSs mentioned above.

With reference to FIG. 8A, there is an illustration of an example UVMMELS 800 (also referred to as a “UVMM Request” 800) sent by HypervisorsA-C to switched fabric 104.

ELS 800 includes a UVMM Command Code/type that indicates the UVMM ELS,and Flags to indicate whether ELS 800 is a UVMM+ELS used when a VM isinstantiated or, alternatively, a UVMM-ELS used when a VM isde-instantiated. UVMM ELS 800 also includes a global VM ID (e.g., UUID),a Hypervisor N_Port_ID, and a local VM ID (i.e., priority value) asappropriate.

With reference to FIG. 8B, there is an illustration of an example UVMMLS_ACC ELS 810 corresponding to UVMM ELS 800 and that is sent as anAccept from switched fabric 104 to the one of Hypervisors A-C that sentUVMM 800. UVMM LS_ACC 810 includes an LS_ACC Command Code thatidentifies the UVMM LS_ACC ELS.

With reference to FIG. 8C, there is an illustration of an example QFPAELS 820 (also referred to as a “QFPA Request” 820) sent by HypervisorsA-C to switched fabric 104 to solicit/request available priority valuesthat may be allocated as local VM IDs to VMs instantiated on theHypervisors. ELS 820 includes a QFPA Command Code/type that indicatesthe QFPA ELS.

With reference to FIG. 8D, there is an illustration of an example QFPALS_ACC ELS 830 corresponding to QFPA ELS 820 and that is sent fromswitched fabric 104 as a response to the one of Hypervisors A-C thatsent the QFPA ELS. QFPA LS_ACC 830 includes a QFPA LS_ACC Command Codethat identifies the QFPA LS_ACC ELS. QFPA LS_ACC 830 also includesinformation from tables 300-600, for example, that indicates whichpriority values are available to be allocated as local VM IDs to VMsinstantiated on Hypervisors A-C.

Various VM aware FC environment scenarios which use or prepare for theuse of the above described features (e.g., the local VM IDs and FC frameheader 200, mapping database 700, and QFPA and UVMM ELSs) are nowdescribed in connection with FIGS. 9-17. The scenarios are presented byway of example only. The time order in which the scenarios areimplemented may be permuted. Also, more or less scenarios may beimplemented.

With reference to FIG. 9, there is an illustration of an examplescenario 900 in which initial FC fabric login (FLOGI) and port login(PLOGI) procedures are performed by Hypervisor A in environment 100.Hypervisor N_Port PA uses the FLOGI procedure or transaction to informswitched fabric 104 of its N_Port_Name and acquire its N_Port_ID fromthe switched fabric. To do this, Hypervisor N_Port PA sends to fabricswitch 106(1) an FLOGI ELS including the N_Port_Name for the HypervisorN_Port. Fabric switch 106(1) returns to Hypervisor N_Port PA a FLOGILS_ACC that assigns N_Port_ID 1.1.1 to the N_Port. Sending of FC ELSframes are indicated as dashed arrow lines in FIG. 9 (and the otherfigures described below).

Then, Hypervisor N_Port PA performs the PLOGI procedure with discoveredpeer N_Ports, such as with an N_Port of storage device 110, in which theHypervisor N_Port PA and the storage device N_Port exchange with eachother parameters (such as their respective N_Port_IDs) needed toestablish an FC session with each other. To do this, Hypervisor N_PortPA sends a PLOGI ELS to the N_Port of storage device 110 and receives aPLOGI LS_ACC from the storage device N_Port.

With reference to FIG. 10, there is an illustration of an examplescenario 1000 in which Hypervisor A queries switched fabric 104 forpriority values that are available to be allocated as local VM IDs,after the FOGI and PLOGI procedures have been completed. Hypervisor Asends a QFPA ELS to fabric switch 106(1) to solicit from the fabricswitch a list of priority values available to be allocated as local VMIDs. In response, fabric switch 106(1) sends the current list andassociated information to Hypervisor A in a QFPA LS_ACC. In the exampleof FIG. 10, the QFPA LS_ACC includes the priority values and relatedinformation included in table 400 (or any of tables 300-600).

With reference to FIG. 11, there is an illustration of an examplescenario 1100 in which Hypervisor A instantiates VM VM1 in response tocommands from management entity 114. At 1105, Hypervisor A allocates oneof the priority values listed in the QFPA LS_ACC (e.g., identified aspriority value P(1A) in FIG. 11) from switched fabric 104 as a local VMID of VM VM1. Hypervisor A also provides a virtualized SCSI interfacethereon to communicate with VM VM1 once the VM is instantiated.Hypervisor A then sends a UVMM+ELS to fabric switch 106(1) informing thefabric switch of the global VM ID (e.g., UUID-VM(1)), the HypervisorN_Port_ID (e.g., N_Port_ID(A), which is 1.1.1 in the example), and theallocated priority value (e.g., P(1A)) that is to serve as the local VMID for VM VM1 and that is associated with the Hypervisor N_Port_ID.Together, the allocated priority/local VM ID (e.g., P(1A)) and theN_Port_ID (e.g., N_Port_ID(A) represent the fabric VM ID (e.g., of VM1).

Responsive to the UVMM+ELS, fabric switch 106(1) responds with a UVMMLS_ACC to Hypervisor A. Fabric switch 106(1) also communicates theinformation contained in the UVMM+ELS to the VM Identification server ofDirectory Service 130. Based on the information in the UVMM+ELS, the VMIdentification server adds a mapping entry to mapping database 700 thatmaps the global VM ID (e.g., UUID-VM(1)) to the fabric VM ID representedby the Hypervisor N_Port_ID (e.g., N_Port_ID(A), which is 1.1.1 in theexample) and the priority value that serves as the local VM ID of VM 1(e.g., P(1A)).

Hypervisor A also sends a UVMM+ELS to storage device 110. In response,storage device 110 updates a mapping database stored therein similar tomapping database 700, and sends a UVMM LS_ACC to Hypervisor A.

Hypervisor A instantiates VM VM1 on the Hypervisor (see FIG. 12.).

With reference to FIG. 12, there is an illustration of an examplescenario 1200 in which VM VM1 instantiated on Hypervisor A based on thescenarios described above has established an FC (communication) sessionwith storage device 110 and during which the VM communicates with thestorage device to retrieve data from and store data to storage device110, for example. During the session, Hypervisor N_Port PA and theN_Port of storage device 110 exchange FC frames (which comprise FCsession traffic) with each other on behalf of VM VM1 and the storagedevice via switched fabric 104. Each FC frame sent from HypervisorN_Port PA to the N_Port of storage device 110 includes an FC frameheader 1205 (based on the format of FC frame header 200) that includes,in part, an S_ID field populated with Hypervisor N_Port PA N_Port_ID1.1.1, a D_ID field populated with storage device N_Port N_Port_ID3.3.3, and an Priority field populated with the allocated priority valueP(1A) used as the local VM ID of VM VM1. Similarly, each FC frame sentin the reverse direction from the N_Port of storage device 110 toHypervisor N_Port PA includes, in part, an FC frame header 1210 havingan S_ID field populated with storage device N_Port_ID 3.3.3, a D_IDfield populated with Hypervisor N_Port_ID 1.1.1, and a Priority fieldpopulated with the priority value P(1A) used as the local VM ID of VMVM1.

With reference to FIG. 13, there is an illustration of an examplescenario 1300 in which a second VM, VM VM2, is instantiated onHypervisor A responsive to commands from management entity 114. Similarto scenario 1100, Hypervisor A allocates from the list of availablepriority values received via the QFPA LS_ACC in scenario 1000 a priorityvalue P(2A) as the local VM ID of VM VM2, and sends a UVMM+ELS toswitched fabric 104 to indicate (i) the allocation of VM ID P(2A), theglobal VM ID UUID-VM(2), and the Hypervisor N_Port_ID N_Port_ID(2)(e.g., which is still 1.1.1 in the example). In response, switchedfabric 104 adds to mapping database 700 a mapping entry 1310 thatreflects the information in the UVMM+ELS. Hypervisor A also sends asimilar UVMM+ to storage device 110 so that the storage device canupdate the mapping database stored therein.

With reference to FIG. 14, there is an illustration of an examplescenario 1400 in which VM VM2 instantiated on Hypervisor A based onscenario 1300 has established an FC (communication) session with storagedevice 110 during which the VM communicates with the storage device.Similar to scenario 1200, during the session, Hypervisor A and storagedevice 110 exchange FC frames including headers 1405 and 1410 thatinclude the local VM ID P(2A) for VM VM2.

With reference to FIG. 15, there is an illustration of an examplescenario 1500 in which additional VMs VM3 and VM4 have been instantiatedon Hypervisor A in the manner described above in connection withscenarios 1100 and 1300. Also in scenario 1500, Hypervisor B has (i)acquired its N_Port_ID 1.2.1 from switched fabric 104 using an FLOGIprocedure similar to that described above in connection with scenario900, (ii) received a list of priority values available to be allocatedas local VM IDs via a QFPA ELS-LS_ACC transaction as described above inconnection with scenario 1000, and (iii) instantiated VMs VM5-VM6 usingthe techniques described above in connection with scenarios 1100 and1300. In the example of FIG. 15, mapping database 700 reflects theinstantiation of VMs VM1-VM6 across Hypervisors A and B. Specifically,mapping database 700 includes mapping entries that map fabric VM IDs(i.e., the {N_Port_ID, Priority} pairs) of VMs VM1-VM6, respectively, toglobal VM IDs (e.g., UUIDs) of VM VM1-VM6, as indicated in FIG. 15.

With reference to FIG. 16, there is an illustration of an examplescenario 1600 in which VMs VM7 and VM8 are instantiated on Hypervisor Cand VM VM3 is de-instantiated from Hypervisor A in a “VM move” of the VMto Hypervisor B. At 1605, Hypervisor A de-allocates VM ID P(3A) from VMVM3 and de-instantiates VM VM3 from the Hypervisor. Hypervisor A thensends a UVMM-ELS to fabric switch 106(1) and a UVMM-ELS to storagedevice 110 indicating the de-allocation of VM ID P(3A). In response,fabric switch 106(1) updates the information in the VM Identificationserver in Directory Service 130. The VM Identification server removesmapping entry 1610 (from mapping database 700) for VM ID P(3A) that waspreviously created responsive to a UVMM+ELS sent by Hypervisor A tofabric switch 106(1) when VM VM3 was previously instantiated onHypervisor A.

With reference to FIG. 17, there is an illustration of an examplescenario 1700 (that follows after example scenario 1700) in which VM VM3is instantiated on Hypervisor B in the move of the VM from Hypervisor Ato Hypervisor B. At 1705, Hypervisor B allocates priority value P(3B) asa local VM ID of VM3 and instantiates the VM on the Hypervisor.Hypervisor B sends a UVMM+ELS to fabric switch 106(1) and to storagedevice 110 to indicate instantiation of VM VM3 on the Hypervisor and theinformation indicated at 1710 and 1715. In response, switched fabric 104updates mapping database 700 with mapping entry 1720 to reflect the moveof VM VM3 to Hypervisor B.

With reference to FIG. 18, there is a flowchart of an example VM awareFC method 1800 performed at Hypervisor A. Other Hypervisors may performmethod 1800.

At 1805, Hypervisor A sends to switched fabric 104 a QFPA ELS toquery/solicit available priority values available to be allocated to VMsinstantiated on the Hypervisor to identify the instantiated VMs locallyto the Hypervisor.

At 1810, Hypervisor A receives from switched fabric 104 a QFPA LS_ACCincluding the available priority values.

At 1815, Hypervisor A allocates or assigns one of the available priorityvalues (a local VM ID) to VM VM1 to be instantiated, and instantiatesthe VM. The allocated priority value identifies VM VM1 locally toHypervisor A. The VM is also identified with a global VM ID (e.g., a VMUUID), which may be assigned to the VM by the Hypervisor in oneembodiment. The {Hypervisor N_Port_ID, priority value (i.e. local VMID)} pair represents a fabric VM ID of VM VM1.

At 1820, Hypervisor A sends UVMM+ELSs indicating the global VM ID (e.g.,the VM UUID) and the fabric VM ID (i.e., the {Hypervisor N_Port_ID,local VM ID} pair) to switched fabric 104 and to storage device 110. Inthis way, Hypervisor A registers the global VM ID to fabric VM IDmapping associated with the instantiation of the VM with the VMIdentification server of Director Service 130 and storage device 110using the UVMM ELS.

At 1825, during a Fibre Channel session with storage device 110,Hypervisor A exchanges FC frames including the fabric VM ID (i.e., the{Hypervisor N_Port_ID, local VM ID} pair) and a destination N_Port_ID ofstorage device 110.

At 1830, Hypervisor A de-allocates the local VM ID (i.e., priorityvalue) from VM VM1 and de-instantiates the VM. This may be for a move ofthe associated VM to another Hypervisor or to de-instantiate (orde-commission) the associated VM.

At 1835, Hypervisor A sends a UVMM-ELSs to switched fabric 104 andstorage device 110 indicating the global VM ID (e.g., the VM UUID) andthe fabric VM ID (i.e., the {Hypervisor N_Port_ID, local VM ID} pair).In this way, Hypervisor A de-registers the old mappings associated withthe fabric VM ID from the VM Identification server and storage device110. If a move is involved, the destination Hypervisor will re-registerthe VM thereon.

With reference to FIG. 19, there is a flowchart of an example VM awareFC method 1900 complimentary to method 1800 that is performed at fabricswitch 106(1). Other fabric switches may perform method 1900.

At 1905, fabric switch 106(1) receives from Hypervisor A the QFPA ELSquerying priority values available to be allocated as local IDs to VMs.

At 1910, fabric switch 106(1) receives from Hypervisor A the UVMM+ELS toindicate the global VM ID (e.g., the VM UUID) of the instantiated VM VM1and its fabric VM ID (i.e., the {Hypervisor N_Port_ID, priority value(i.e., local VM ID)} pair).

At 1915, responsive to the UVMM+ELS, fabric switch 106(1) causes themapping database associated with the VM Identification server ofDirectory Service 130 to store a mapping entry that maps the global VMID to the fabric VM ID.

At 1920, during a Fibre Channel session, fabric switch 106(1) routesFibre Channel frames to and from Hypervisor A, each routed frameindicating the fabric VM ID (the Hypervisor N_Port_ID and the local VMID) and a peer/destination N_Port_ID (e.g., of storage device 110).

At 1925, fabric switch 106(1) receives from Hypervisor A the UVMM-ELSindicating that VM VM1 was de-instantiated from the Hypervisor. TheUVMM-ELS includes the global VM ID (e.g., the VM UUID) and the fabric VMID (i.e., the {Hypervisor N_Port_ID, priority value} pair).

At 1930, fabric switch 106(1) causes removal of the mapping entry forthe fabric VM ID from the mapping database.

With reference to FIG. 20, there is a block diagram of a computer deviceor system 2000 to implement embodiments presented herein. Computerdevice 2000 may be a network device, such as a fabric router or fabricswitch (e.g., fabric switch 106(1)). Computer device 200 may also be aserver to host a Hypervisor (e.g., server A, which hosts Hypervisor A),or a server to host the VM Identification Server in Directory Service130. To this end, computer device 2000 may include a plurality ofnetwork ports 2050-1 through 2050-N (such as FC ports, e.g., F_Ports,N_Ports, and the like) or other form of network interface (also referredto as a “network interface unit”), a packet forwarding unit 2052 if thecomputer device is as switch or router, a processor 2054 (or multipleprocessors) and memory 2056. The memory stores instructions forimplementing methods described herein.

The memory 2056 may comprise read only memory (ROM), random accessmemory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media devices, optical storage mediadevices, flash memory devices, electrical, optical, or otherphysical/tangible (non-transitory) memory storage devices. The processor2054 is, for example, a microprocessor or a microcontroller thatexecutes instructions stored in memory. Thus, in general, the memory2056 may comprise one or more tangible computer readable storage media(e.g., a memory device) encoded with software comprising computerexecutable instructions and when the software is executed (by theprocessor 2054) it is operable to perform the operations describedherein. Depending on the role of computer device 2000 in environment 100(e.g., Hypervisor host, fabric switch, or VM Identification Service)memory 2056 may store Hypervisor logic 2058 a to implement a Hypervisorconfigured to perform the Hypervisor operations described herein, switchlogic 2058 b to perform the fabric switch operations described herein,and VM Identification logic 2058 c to perform VM Identification serveroperations described herein. The memory may also store data 2060 usedand generated by logic 2058 a-2058 c, such as local VM IDs, informationin mapping database 700, UVMM and QFPA ELS formats, and so on.

In summary, embodiments presented herein use the priority field in an FCframe header as a frame-by-frame VM ID. The embodiments define a newQFPA ELS to enable a Hypervisor to query a switched fabric about thepriority values available to be allocated by the Hypervisor to identifyVMs. An additional server, referred to as a VM Identification serverunder the Fibre Channel Directory Service, maintains mappings betweenglobal VM IDs and fabric VM IDs, so as to map the VM UUID to an{Hypervisor N_Port_ID, VM Priority} pair. The embodiments also define anew UVMM ELS to update the mappings.

Operation in the VM/switched fabric environment is improved byminimizing losses of FC frames during movements of VMs (i.e., VMmovements) across Hypervisors because Hypervisors have visibility ofinput/output boundaries (i.e., exchanges). VM movements are minimallydisruptive because Hypervisors are heavily involved and interactive withthe movements, including updating the mappings in the VM Identificationserver. Storage devices are made aware of the VM movements using theUVMM ELSs. The switched fabric is made aware of the VM movements usingthe UVMM transactions.

Further advantages of the embodiments presented herein include:

-   -   a. For a storage device, the ability to identify FC traffic on a        per-VM basis.    -   b. For the switched fabric, the ability to identify FC traffic        on a per-VM basis.    -   c. For the Hypervisor, the ability to define high priority and        low priority VMs.    -   d. The implementation is backward compatible.    -   e. The implementation allows incremental deployment.    -   f. VMs can be zoned by enhancing current zoning techniques,        extending them to cover also Global IDs (e.g., UUIDs).    -   g. The priority field allows a Hypervisor to identify many VMs,        e.g., 127 VMs. If more are needed, the Hypervisor may acquire        additional N_Port_IDs.

While embodiments described above are directed to a Fibre Channelenvironment, other embodiments are possible. For example, embodimentsdirected to a Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) are also possible. Inan FCoE embodiment, the switched fabric 104 is an FCoE fabric, eachswitch device 106 is an FCoE switch device, and the ports (e.g., portsPA-PC) are FCoE ports.

In summary, in one form, a method is provided comprising: at aHypervisor hosted on a computer device and configured with a FibreChannel port to communicate with a Fibre Channel switch device in aFibre Channel switched fabric, the Fibre Channel port having a portidentifier assigned by the switch device: soliciting from the switchdevice Fibre Channel priority values available to be allocated as localidentifiers to virtual machines (VMs) instantiated on the Hypervisor;instantiating on the Hypervisor a VM identified with a global VMidentifier; allocating one of the solicited priority values to theinstantiated VM such that the allocated priority value and the portidentifier together represent a fabric VM identifier; after theallocating, sending to the switch device an update frame to indicate theinstantiated VM, the global VM identifier, and the fabric VM identifier;and during a Fibre Channel session, exchanging Fibre Channel frames,each indicating the fabric VM identifier, with a Fibre Channeldestination port connected to the switched fabric.

In another form, an apparatus is provided that implements the methodsdescribed above. For example, an apparatus is provided comprising: aprocessor configured to host a Hypervisor; and a fiber channel portconfigured to enable the Hypervisor to communicate with a Fibre Channelswitch device in a Fibre Channel switched fabric, the Fibre Channel porthaving a port identifier assigned by the switch device, the Hypervisorconfigured to: solicit from the switch device Fibre Channel priorityvalues available to be allocated as identifiers to virtual machines(VMs) instantiated on the Hypervisor; instantiate on the Hypervisor a VMidentified with a global VM identifier; allocate one of the solicitedpriority values to the instantiated VM such that the allocated priorityvalue and the port identifier together represent a fabric VM identifier;after the allocating, send to the switch device an update frame toindicate the instantiated VM, the global VM identifier, and the fabricVM identifier; and during a Fibre Channel session, exchange FibreChannel frames, each indicating the fabric VM identifier, with a FibreChannel destination port connected to the switched fabric.

In another form, a method is provided comprising: at a Fibre Channelswitch device in a Fibre Channel switched fabric, the switch deviceconfigured to communicate with a computer hosted Hypervisor through aFibre Channel port of the Hypervisor that has a port identifier assignedby the switch device: receiving from the Hypervisor a priorityallocation request frame and responsive thereto sending to theHypervisor an Accept that indicates priority values available to beallocated as identifiers to virtual machines (VMs) instantiated on theHypervisor; receiving from the Hypervisor an update frame to indicate aninstantiated VM, a global VM identifier of the VM, and a fabric VMidentifier of the VM represented as a combination of one of the priorityvalues allocated to the VM together with the port identifier; responsiveto the update frame, storing in a mapping database accessible across theswitched fabric an entry that maps the global VM identifier to thefabric VM identifier; and during a Fibre Channel session, routing FibreChannel frames to and from the Hypervisor, each routed frame indicatingthe fabric VM identifier.

In yet another form, a non-transitory processor readable medium isprovided. The processor readable medium stores instructions that, whenexecuted by a processor, implement the methods described above andclaimed below.

The above description is intended by way of example only.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: at a Hypervisor hosted on acomputer device and configured with a Fibre Channel port to communicatewith a Fibre Channel switch device in a Fibre Channel switched fabricand a distributed computer server, the Fibre Channel port having a portidentifier assigned by the switch device; soliciting from the switchdevice Fibre Channel priority values available to be allocated as localidentifiers to virtual machines (VMs) instantiated on the Hypervisor,the soliciting including sending to the switch device a Fibre Channelpriority allocation frame to solicit the priority values, and receivingfrom the switch device a Fibre Channel priority allocation frameacknowledgement that includes the solicited priority values;instantiating on the Hypervisor a VM identified with a global VMidentifier; allocating one of the solicited priority values to theinstantiated VM such that the allocated priority value and the portidentifier together represent a fabric VM identifier; after theallocating, sending to the switch device an update frame to indicate theinstantiated VM, the global VM identifier, and the fabric VM identifier;performing, at the Hypervisor, a port login (PLOGI) with the destinationport to exchange session parameters with the destination port to be usedduring a Fibre Channel session; and during the Fibre Channel session,exchanging Fibre Channel frames, each indicating the fabric VMidentifier, with a Fibre Channel destination port connected to theswitched fabric.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:de-instantiating the instantiated VM from the Hypervisor; and sending tothe switch device an update frame to indicate the de-instantiated VM,the global VM identifier, and the fabric VM identifier.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, further comprising, at the switch device: receiving the updateframe to indicate the instantiated VM and responsive thereto storing ina mapping database accessible across the switched fabric a mapping entrythat maps the global VM identifier to the fabric VM identifier; andreceiving the update frame to indicate the de-instantiated VM andresponsive thereto removing the mapping entry from the mappingdatabases.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the solicited priorityvalues are divided among priority groups each associated with arespective Quality of Service (QoS) priority level, and wherein eachpriority group includes multiple ones of the priority values that sharethe respective QoS priority level for that group.
 5. The method of claim2, further comprising, at the Hypervisor, prior to the exchanging:responsive to the instantiating and allocating, sending to thedestination port through the switch device an update frame to indicatethe instantiated VM, the global VM identifier, and the fabric VMidentifier, wherein the exchanging includes sending Fibre Channel framesto and receiving Fibre Channel session frames from the destination portthrough the switched fabric, each sent and received Fibre Channel frameincluding the fabric VM identifier and a port identifier of thedestination port.
 6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:responsive to the de-instantiating, sending to the destination portthrough the switched fabric an update message to indicate thede-instantiated VM, the global VM identifier, and the fabric VMidentifier.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, at the switchdevice: causing the switched fabric to store in a mapping database amapping entry that maps the global VM identifier to the fabric VMidentifier.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the Fibre Channel port isa Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) port, the Fibre Channel switchdevice is an FCoE switch device, and the Fibre Channel switched fabricis an FCoE switched fabric.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the FibreChannel priority allocation frame further includes flags to indicatewhich of the solicited priority values included in the Fibre Channelpriority allocation frame are available and are not available to beallocated as local identifiers of VMs.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein: the Fibre Channel priority allocation frame to solicit thepriority values and the Fibre Channel priority applicationacknowledgement frame are Fibre Channel control plane messages; and theexchanging Fibre Channel frames includes exchanging Fibre Channel dataframes.
 11. An apparatus comprising: a processor configured to host aHypervisor; and a fiber channel port configured to enable the Hypervisorto communicate with a Fibre Channel switch device in a Fibre Channelswitched fabric and a distributed computer server, the Fibre Channelport having a port identifier assigned by the switch device, theHypervisor configured to: solicit from the switch device Fibre Channelpriority values available to be allocated as identifiers to virtualmachines (VMs) instantiated on the Hypervisor, by sending to the switchdevice a Fibre Channel priority allocation frame to solicit the priorityvalues, and receiving from the switch device a Fibre Channel priorityallocation frame acknowledgement that includes the solicited priority;instantiate on the Hypervisor a VM identified with a global VMidentifier; allocate one of the solicited priority values to theinstantiated VM such that the allocated priority value and the portidentifier together represent a fabric VM identifier; after theallocating, send to the switch device an update frame to indicate theinstantiated VM, the global VM identifier, and the fabric VM identifier;performing, at the Hypervisor, a port login (PLOGI) with the destinationport to exchange session parameters with the destination port to be usedduring a Fibre Channel session; and during the Fibre Channel session,exchange Fibre Channel frames, each indicating the fabric VM identifier,with a Fibre Channel destination port connected to the switched fabric.12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the Hypervisor is furtherconfigured to: de-instantiate the instantiated VM from the Hypervisor;and send to the switch device an update frame to indicate thede-instantiated VM, the global VM identifier, and the fabric VMidentifier.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the solicitedpriority values are divided among priority groups each associated with arespective Quality of Service (QoS) priority level, and wherein eachpriority group includes multiple ones of the priority values that sharethe respective QoS priority level for that group.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the Hypervisor is further configured to, prior to theexchange: responsive to the instantiating and allocating, send to thedestination port through the switch device an update frame to indicatethe instantiated VM, the global VM identifier, and the fabric VMidentifier, wherein the exchange includes sending Fibre Channel framesto and receiving Fibre Channel session frames from the destination portthrough the switched fabric, each sent and received Fibre Channel frameincluding the fabric VM identifier and a port identifier of thedestination port.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the Hypervisoris further configured to: responsive to the de-instantiating, send tothe destination port through the switched fabric an update message toindicate the de-instantiated VM, the global VM identifier, and thefabric VM identifier.
 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the FibreChannel priority allocation frame further includes flags to indicatewhich of the solicited priority values included in the Fibre Channelpriority allocation frame are available and are not available to beallocated as local identifiers of VMs.
 17. Non-transitory computerreadable media encoded with instruction that, when executed by aprocessor of a computer device hosting a Hypervisor and configured witha Fibre Channel port to communicate with a Fibre Channel switch devicein a Fibre Channel switched fabric and a distributed computer server,the Fibre Channel port having a port identifier assigned by the switchdevice, cause the processor to perform: soliciting from the switchdevice Fibre Channel priority values available to be allocated as localidentifiers to virtual machines (VMs) instantiated on the Hypervisor,the soliciting including sending to the switch device a Fibre Channelpriority allocation frame to solicit the priority values, and receivingfrom the switch device a Fibre Channel priority allocation frameacknowledgement that includes the solicited priority values;instantiating on the Hypervisor a VM identified with a global VMidentifier; allocating one of the solicited priority values to theinstantiated VM such that the allocated priority value and the portidentifier together represent a fabric VM identifier; after theallocating, sending to the switch device an update frame to indicate theinstantiated VM, the global VM identifier, and the fabric VM identifier;performing, at the Hypervisor, a port login (PLOGI) with the destinationport to exchange session parameters with the destination port to be usedduring a Fibre Channel session; and during the Fibre Channel session,exchanging Fibre Channel frames, each indicating the fabric VMidentifier, with a Fibre Channel destination port connected to theswitched fabric.
 18. The non-transitory computer readable media of claim17, further comprising instructions to cause the processor to perform:de-instantiating the instantiated VM from the Hypervisor; and sending tothe switch device an update frame to indicate the de-instantiated VM,the global VM identifier, and the fabric VM identifier.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer readable media of claim 18, wherein thesolicited priority values are divided among priority groups eachassociated with a respective Quality of Service (QoS) priority level,and wherein each priority group includes multiple ones of the priorityvalues that share the respective QoS priority level for that group. 20.The non-transitory computer readable media of claim 18, furthercomprising instructions to cause a processor to perform, at theHypervisor, prior to the exchanging: responsive to the instantiating andallocating, sending to the destination port through the switch device anupdate frame to indicate the instantiated VM, the global VM identifier,and the fabric VM identifier, wherein the exchanging includes sendingFibre Channel frames to and receiving Fibre Channel session frames fromthe destination port through the switched fabric, each sent and receivedFibre Channel frame including the fabric VM identifier and a portidentifier of the destination port.
 21. The non-transitory computerreadable media of claim 18, further comprising instructions to cause theprocessor to perform: responsive to the de-instantiating, sending to thedestination port through the switched fabric an update message toindicate the de-instantiated VM, the global VM identifier, and thefabric VM identifier.
 22. The non-transitory computer readable media ofclaim 17, wherein the Fibre Channel port is a Fibre Channel overEthernet (FCoE) port, the Fibre Channel switch device is an FCoE switchdevice, and the Fibre Channel switched fabric is an FCoE switchedfabric.